A Short & Dirty Guide for Teachers Seeking International Teaching Jobs
There are about 5000 international schools around the world which are growing at a fast rate! The majority of these schools are Private international schools. This means they are essentially operated as businesses and funded by directors whose penultimate goal is to make a profit. Education is a thriving business model and if operated successfully, not only do students learn but Directors can cash in.
The hard and fast fact is the demand for private education will always be more than the supply. Therefore for teachers who want to work abroad, the field of private schools to choose from can be very much like a combination of good and bad.
Most international schools serve the children of wealthy parents, some or most of which could be expatriates residing in a country that demands an education in the English language for their children. As more and more international schools open up, the competition is becoming more fierce. Areas where many schools are on the increase include the Middle East and Asia.
In a nutshell here are the pros and cons of private international schools:
Pros:Â Plenty of schools to choose from. Salary packages can be TAX FREE in some locations. Remuneration packages often include accommodation and many other benefits which you would not get as a standard in your home country.
Cons:Â There is a fine line between providing good education and making sure that substantial profits are made. There are so many trains of thought from various countries that there can be a lot of mismanagement at the top-level which results in some schools being run chaotically. It’s quite easy to get wrapped up in the politics and air your voice but if you if you stick to your teaching philosophy while learning new ideas with an open mind it can become quite fun. Some Directors push the boat in charging higher fees simply to increase profits and will consequently avoid or not exclude students that go against any rules and regulations